Author Archives: Ida Torres

Eco-hub lets you regrow plants from organic waste

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Aside from the fact that I more often than not unintentionally kill the plants that are entrusted to me, another reason that I can’t really raise plants is that I don’t have space in my apartment. A lot of people who live in cities like me are unable to find spots in order to have some semblance of greenery in their every day lives. But what if you could have a tool to plant and raise organic materials and also help save on organic waste at the same time?

Designer: Batuhan Duran

This is the basic idea behind the Bosch eco-hub, a concept that is rethinking how we can grow plants in the middle of the concrete jungle. It was really born out of how to more efficiently reuse organic waste instead of just the usual disposal methods which may be counterintuitive to sustainable living. It is a box that is able to regrow some of these organic root waste and turn them into seeds, seedlings, and actual food. And since it is portable and small, it allows those who have little space to do their own home and balcony gardening.

This electricity-free biodynamic farming unit seems to be shaped lke a lunchbox, which is perfect since you can actually get your food here. The eco-hub is made from things like bioplastic, egg, wood, and biopolymer. You will be able to regenerate vegetables like lettuce, arugula, cress, and aromatic plants like mint, rosemary, basil. It has its own filtration system that eliminates things like pH sensors and constant water replacement since it is able to facilitate the water purification by transferring oxygen through their roots into the water.

I probably still can’t grow plants in my apartment for various reasons but those who have limited space and only have indoor space can probably benefit from an eco-hub like this. They say there’s also a great feeling that comes from being able to grow what you eat so this can bring satisfaction on different levels for those who would like to say they harvested from their living room.

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Two-wheeled autonomous robots are designed to keep your premises secure

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Having a human patrol the premises that you want to protect is probably the most common security protocol. However, it is still not fool proof and is prone to error and may cost you a lot if you pay an agency or the security personnel directly. Installing security cameras is also another option but can also be expensive. So if you’re going to spend a lot, why not spend it on a robot?

Designer: Ascento

A Zurich-based company has come up with the Ascento Guard, a robot that can patrol your premises autonomously but with more features than your surveillance system. It is a two-wheeled guard that is able to spot intruders, check on doors and windows, monitor the premises, and record property lights. Once it detects an unusual incident, it sends an alarm so a human can go to the area and do what needs to be done. So yes, human intervention is still needed.

The robot comes with thermal and infrared cameras to record and detect incidents, speakers, a microphone, and GPS tracking. It can run at speeds of up to 5 km/hour if fully charged. It has two large wheels and a robot-looking body that seems to have eyes that can stare into your soul. It is equipped with a fall recovery feature so that it can easily move around all kinds of areas and terrains. It can also weather any kind of, well, weather as it is water proof.

As mentioned earlier, there is still a human element needed in case of an incident. So don’t worry that robots like these will eventually replace actual guards. But it is an alternative or a supplement to your security system if needed. I’m still scared that things like these will eventually become our overlords but hopefully companies like these have thought of ways to make sure that the robot uprising will not happen anytime soon.

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Luxury trailer gets even tinier while boasting a walk-in closet in its all-electric design

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When I think of trailers, I picture a cramped living space in a truck-like vehicle that either is parked in a trailer neighborhood or goes around wherever you want to go. Living in one is not something on my bucket list as I’m the type of traveler who likes her creature comforts and so I would prefer staying in hotels or air bnbs. But the luxury trailers that I’ve been seeing has made me rethink my stance on trailers, although these are definitely things I can’t afford.

Designer: Living Vehicle

The HD24 is the smaller version of their previous HD model, a high-end trailer that is 24-foot long and has all the luxurious amenities that you would want from an expensive trailer. In fact, it even has a walk-in closet, a luxury that not even all regular apartments or houses always have. It is 6 feet shorter than the next-smallest model, so probably easier to move around so you can stay in places where you just want to be in the middle of nature or whatever place you want to visit (that has trailer parking of course).

The trailer ha fold-out deck that can fit two people sitting in case you want to have a perfect view of your surroundings while still staying in relative comfort. It has a bunk bed and a lounge that can be converted into a queen size bed. When not in use, the beds can be elevated so you have space for your lounge and dining area. It comes equipped with an aluminum kitchen and a full bath, inspired by luxury yacht designs. And of course the walk-in closet is the highlight, although if you don’t need that much space for clothes, you can turn it into an additional room.

The interior of the HD24 has a powder-coated aluminum finish so it’s pretty easy to clean and maintain. It also uses solar array and energy-storage system so it is slightly eco-friendly. The price tag of $300,000 is not so friendly for people like me but there is definitely a market for this luxury trailer.

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Portable capsule coffee machine lets you be caffeinated in automated cars

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Just a couple of months ago, we went on a road trip through the Southern part of New Zealand where the drive for each leg was around 5-6 hours. So of course we had to keep our driving friends awake and alert the entire time. We had some occasional breaks but in the car, everyone had to stay awake. There were times when I wished there was some caffeinated machine with us in the car that could make coffee at will whenever we needed a jolt. This design for a vehicle coffee machine is probably the first step towards having something like this eventually.

Designer: Junseo Oh

DOTS is a design for a portable coffee machine that primarily works if you’re in an automated vehicle but can also be used in other on-the-go scenarios. It has a removable bottom so it can adapt to whatever or wherever you’re using it for. It also uses coffee capsules instead of the usual brewing method to make it easier to use. The capsules are placed on the top and replaced by removing that part. Water is stored in the cylindrical space at the bottom. We assume this also boils the water or at least keeps it warm for when you need to start the process.

There is also a control or lever in the machine which lets you adjust the intensity of the extraction method from the capsule since coffee drinkers have different preferences when it comes to that. The machine comes with a tumbler where you can place the coffee directly. It has a lid on top to secure your liquid and you can also place a straw on it, although sipping hot liquid with a straw seems a bit weird.

While it’s primarily designed for vehicles, the portability of the DOTS machine lets you bring it with you whenever you may need a caffeine break. It has a minimalist and space gray feel so it can match most car interiors. I would love to have something as portable as this especially when traveling somewhere that may not have that good of a coffee culture.

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Starfield Constellation Edition boasts a smartwatch that doubles as a functional gaming memorabilia

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Most of the gamers I know (and apparently, I realized I know a lot) are not always the ones that you will associate with other gadgets like smartwatches. Well, at least, they will be interested if it’s connected to the game that they’re playing now. One of them said that they don’t want to be conscious about time or anything else while they’re playing so they most likely will not wear a watch. So the fact that the newest collection edition from Bethesda games costs $300 and comes with a smartwatch has given pause to some gamers eager to get their hands on the latest game from the company.

Designer: Bethesda Games

The Starfield Constellation Edition is a special bundle available for those who have been waiting for the Starfield RPG for so long. It’s a mix of physical and digital items with some you can use in-game and some are just some game memorabilia. That includes the smartwatch with a pretty nifty-looking watch case made from aluminum and plastic and with a metal latch. It looks like something an astronaut would carry on board a ship in the game. The highlight of the special edition though is the Chronofield smartwatch, which may be the most expensive part of the package.

It is made from plastic, metal, and rubber, with an option for a NATO strap in case you don’t want the rubber strap. It’s not a touch screen device but it has a glass screen and four physical buttons. It seems to have all the usual features like Bluetooth connectivity, weather updates, music control, moon phase display, notification alerts, etc. You can connect it to your smartphone app as well for other controls. It doesn’t seem to be connected to the game itself for now but future updates may eventually do so.

Aside from the watch and the watch case, the Starfield Constellation Edition also includes a Steelbook Display Case, constellation patch, and of course the Starfield Base game itself. There are other things like skin packs, in-game bonus items, access to the digital artbook and original soundtrack, etc. This should appeal to fans of the game and those who enjoy Bethesda games but if it’s just the watch you’re after, there will probably be better alternatives out there.

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Orka Two makes it natural for users to wear and use these minimal hearing aids

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I’ve never tried wearing a hearing aid but I’ve seen some relatives having to deal with aural problems by wearing these devices. They seem mostly bulky and hard to wear regularly that’s why some of them choose to remove them at times (although they might also want a bit of peace and quiet?). So when wireless earbuds started becoming popular, we knew it was only a matter of time before hearing aid makers started adapting some of the properties and features of these gadgets.

Designer: Hiorka

The Orka Two is a hearing aid that looks and feels more like a pair of wireless earbuds and this seems to be for the better for those who need help to have healthier hearing. The ergonomic and aesthetic design will actually encourage those who have previously been wary of wearing a device like this to finally get a hearing aid. It is pretty lightweight and has a “gentle curve” that will ensure the user’s comfort even when they wear it for a long time. It is also colored white which is apparently the most inclusive color, fitting with its simple, minimalist design. The charging case that comes with is also pretty easy to use and the hearing aid can be placed flat in the case instead of upright.

Features-wise, it has some new things that can help those with hearing problems communicate and adapt better with their surroundings. The AI DeNoise technology minimizes background noise and enhances speech clarity so the user gets a more natural hearing experience. It also has an Environmental Classifier that fine tunes the sounds around the user. The charging case has a built-in power bank so you can charge on the go and it also comes with controls so you don’t need a smartphone app to adjust the volume. It can also be connected to smart devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops and you can easily switch between devices.

The Orka Two doesn’t seem to want to complicate things for the user but at the same time brings several updated technology features to make life easier for those with hearing problems. You get simple controls in the case itself but you can also personalize features through the Orka Health app. The fact also that it seems to be non-intrusive and simple to put on and take off will also help those who need it the most to get into wearing hearing aids to improve their life.

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This NASA-backed humanoid robot may be your new best friend that will help you lift boxes

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How you feel about humanoid robots probably depends on what sci-fi and futuristic movies and TV shows you watched. As someone who considers Battlestar Galactica to be one of the best TV shows of all time, the idea of robots that are almost human scares the heck out of me. Of course the age of robot overlords is probably still a few decades away (or so we think) so for now, we can see these robots as things that can help make our workload easier. So if you’ve been wanting to have a robot officemate, this new NASA-backed robot might show up in your office one of these days.

Designer: Apptronik and Argodesign

Apollo 1 is the first of its kind as it can function on its own in a factory alongside its human counterparts. It is able to lift 55-pound boxes, load and unload them from conveyor belts, place items on shelves, and other lifting and carrying tasks. In terms of how it looks, they wanted to go for something that would not frighten their human co-workers but also not so far from the human experience. They designed something that’s not trying to look human but still feels humanistic. They wanted people like me who are hung up on the sci-fi looks of robots and who are afraid of uncanny valley feels to not feel threatened.

The Apollo 1 is made of metal, plastic, metal actuators, and silver woven fabric, the latter to give the machine a softer appearance and cover up some of the mechanical parts. Its “suit” is white, gray, and orange with its name “Charlie” tattooed on its chest. It doesn’t speak and can only communicate through an OLED screen that is turned off most of the time. It will only “talk” through the e-paper screen to share important information like battery level, current task, or to answer a question. It can also show simple messages and even “emotions and intentions”.

In case you’re looking for some “emotion” from the humanoid robot, it’s programmed to subtly “smile” if a human co-worker passes by. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, at least not for me. From the video shown above, it does have a bit of dexterity and flexibility, although there’s still a lot of room for improvement in terms of its movement and even its design. The creators say that the level of control and responsiveness from its electrical parts, as well as the swappable batteries, makes it stand out from competitors like the Atlas and Optimus.

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Porsche enlists Puma for 2 limited edition sneakers in time to celebrate their 75th anniversary

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Luxury cars and sneakers don’t necessarily go hand in hand. But since there are a lot of pretty expensive pairs of kicks out there that owners of also expensive cars will probably want to own, a partnership between brands from both industries is not unheard of. The latest collaborators are German automobile manufacturer Porsche and fellow German footwear and apparel brand Puma. They have come up with a couple of limited edition sneakers to commemorate the largest gathering of Porsche enthusiasts and the anniversary of the iconic Porsche 911.

Designers: Porsche and Puma

Rennsport Reunion is a famous gathering of Porsche fans, collectors, and drivers and to commemorate the 7th year this is happening, they will be releasing a special pair of sneakers. The Rennsport Reunion 7 – Mirage Sport Tech is designed specifically for this event and the attendees. The trainers have the event’s branding on the tongue, insole, and even the shoe box. There is also a checkered flag and finish line design on the heels and the pair has red and blue accent colors. It will be available in classic black or pristine white colors.

To celebrate the 60th year of the Porsche 911 car, two limited edition sneakers will be available for those who want to own a rare pair of fashionable Porsche-inspired footwear. The Retro Sneaker, as its name implies, is inspired by the 1972 Porsche 911 S 2 5, with a light blue color and red contrast stitching. It has the starter number 56 on its heel. The individual numbering and the Porsche lettering is on the leather flap on the side. The second model is called the Heritage Sneaker and is based on the Porsche 911 S/T model. It has a gray color to match the anniversary car’s color while its lining is cognac-brown colored, inspired by the interior. It has the number 63 on its heel while the individual numbering is on the underside of the tongue together with the 60 years of Porsche 911 logo. Both sneakers come with red laces on the left shoe and black laces for the other.

The Rennsport Reunion 7 – Mirage Sport Tech is now available at the Porsche Design Online Store and Porsche Design Stores for $150. The Porsche Heritage and Retro Sneakers will be available online starting September 6 and are priced at $160. There will only be 1,972 Retro Sneakers available (for the 1972 Porsche birth year) while there will only be 1,963 pairs for the Heritage Sneakers as tribute to the first generation of the Porsche 911.

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A camper van enveloped by teak creates a cabin where you can be one with nature

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If you’re staying in a place that has a great view of the ocean or is in the middle of nature, you probably want to spend a lot of the time outdoors. You would still need a place to sleep in or take shelter if it becomes too hot or it rains of course. But what if the line between your indoors and the beautiful outdoors becomes a little blurred? And if this place is also sustainable then you might have the almost perfect abode.

Designer: Dani Serrano

The Camper House is actually a camper van that has been transformed into a more permanent abode. It’s a cabin that serves as a housing module and was built by just two people on the shores of a rural surfer village in Nicaragua, which is a perfect spot for something like this. They were able to transform the van into a house that you can turn into a room with a view. And they apparently just used a radial arm saw and a drill for this transformation.

If you want to open up your house during daytime (or even night time), you just have to slide open the partition made from teak and fabric to open up the front living space to be one with the ocean or the forest or the landscape. You can also open the windows easily with the ropes and pulleys attached. To protect you from rainy conditions but still experience fresh air and light, it has a pitched, corrugated steel roof top. Inside you get shelves, a table, a bunk bed, a kitchen, and a faucet. At night, when you need to close up, there are hanging paper lanterns for your light source so the camper van looks like a lantern from the outside.

It’s a pretty minimalist house for when you need to experience a few creature comforts while also exposing yourself to the beautiful nature around you. I wouldn’t mind temporarily staying in this for a few days if I just wanted to get away from city life. My only concern would be of course the bathroom situation (although there is an outhouse) and if there are extreme weather conditions while I’m staying there.

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Minimal, portable writing device is designed to let you disconnect and focus

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As someone who writes for a living, the Internet can be my best friend and my worst enemy. Whether I’m writing for work or trying to finish my manuscript, being online is sometimes necessary but also so, so distracting. One minute I’m finishing an article and the next minute I’ve fallen into a blackhole of YouTube and social media. So a writing gadget that can also help me focus and keep me offline would be a pretty useful tool.

Designer: Freewrite

Traveler is basically a sort of laptop that you can use if you want to focus on writing, at least in the initial drafting stage. It cannot connect to any Internet browser or app so you can do away with all those that may distract you. It can still connect online but only so far as to back up what you’re writing on the cloud so you can access it later on for the editing and maybe some of the research parts. It also has no other frills or features so you get a minimalist design and functionality.

It has an e-ink screen that can also help with reducing eye fatigue which is another common problem for when you’re in front of the computer or tablet for long periods of time. And because it’s e-ink, you get a whopping 4-week battery life. It’s also pretty portable since it weighs just 1.6 lbs and the intenal memory is also pretty great as you can store up to 1 million words. The full-size keyboard seems to be pretty fast and highly responsive.

The writing screen seems to be pretty small as it only takes up a small part of the entire screen/cover. So if you’re already suffering from bad eyesight like me, this might be a challenge. But everything else sounds pretty appealing, especially the part where I won’t be distracted by the Internet. Now if only I would stop picking up my phone and scrolling in the guise of “research” while I’m using the Traveler. The idea is to just let you write your first draft and concentrate on the actual writing.

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